Allegations of Bias in North Carolina Assault Case Against Church Leader

Tue Dec 09 2025 16:36:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Matthew Fenner, a victim of alleged abuse by a secretive North Carolina religious group, seeks to have the prosecutor removed from his case, claiming bias towards the church as a retrial approaches.

In a striking courtroom development, Matthew Fenner has petitioned for the removal of District Attorney Ted Bell from his long-awaited retrial against church leader Brooke Covington of the controversial Word of Faith Fellowship. Fenner alleges that Bell's actions demonstrate favoritism towards the church, which has faced multiple accusations of abuse from former members. With a retrial date set amidst ongoing accusations, the case continues to draw significant public attention, intertwining the legal system with accusations of religious influence.

A man who says members of a secretive North Carolina religious group held him down and beat him wants the prosecutor kicked off his case, accusing the district attorney of siding with a church that dozens of former congregants have said abused them.

Matthew Fenner said in court documents that he has waited more than eight years for a retrial in the kidnapping and assault case involving Word of Faith Fellowship only for District Attorney Ted Bell to schedule the second trial for a church leader during the week Fenner had interviews for a medical residency. Fenner said Bell has refused to delay it.

In a sworn statement, Fenner said Bell wants to stay on Word of Faith’s good side because he supports the locally influential church and its hundreds of members in the small county who could stay in his favor for his reelection bid in 2026.

Bell asserted that the allegations regarding his handling of the case are false and expressed his commitment to justice and the integrity of official duties in a written statement.

As tensions rise, Fenner's lawyer warned that without judicial intervention to remove Bell from the case, a fair trial might be impossible due to the DA's potential conflicts of interest.

Brooke Covington, a church leader, was expected to stand trial this week on kidnapping and assault charges but has seen these plans delayed while the court considers Fenner's request. Previous trials have ended in mistrials, raising concerns about the proceedings' fairness.

Fenner alleges he suffered abuse as a teenager during a so-called 'blasting' session, where church members reportedly held him down while attempting to expel 'homosexual demons,' an event which has sparked ongoing controversies and allegations against the Word of Faith Fellowship.

As the case navigates through legal challenges, it brings to light critical discussions about the intersection of religious influence and legal justice, particularly with the church accused of exercising control and intimidation over its members.

Word of Faith Fellowship, founded in 1979 and led by Jane Whaley, is widely criticized by former members who claim the church employs abusive tactics to maintain its grip on the community. The ongoing debate continues to echo in the corridors of justice as accusations swirl around both the church and the legal proceedings.